Real Tonga’s 17-seater Y-12 aircraft arrived at Tonga’s Fua’amotu Domestic Airport from Vanuatu on the 11th of March after being delayed for a week. MatangiTonga reports that the aircraft has now begun operations with flights to Vava’u. Tonga’s new domestic airline had initially announced that it had secured the lease of two Y-12 aircrafts to service the outer islands, and would start its new service on the 4th of March. A second Y-12 aircraft was expected to arrive at the end of the month. Real Tonga has been granted an Air Operators Certificate to service Tongatapu, Vava’u, Ha’apai, ‘Eua and the two Niuas.
A photo of the Y12 can be found at : http://www.topix.com/world/tonga/2013/03/real-tonga-domestic-aircraft-arrives-in-tonga (click to enlarge it)
That photo seems to be of one of the Vanuatu-based aircraft.
ReplyDeleteAre they sending these second -hand aircraft across, or are the Chinese supplying new aircraft?
Real Tonga - made in China
ReplyDeleteThe new Chinese aircraft are due June or thereabouts... As February to May is the off-peak time for Chathams Pacific they decided to pull the plug at the beginning of March rather than to operate at a loss. So Real Tonga sourced two Y-12s from Vanuatu to keep an air service going. I am working on a post on Chathams Pacific at the moment.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't be at all surprised if China sends one of their Cloned 717s to start up regional jet services...I'm not fussed at all by China investing in services, it's up to them to see if a Tongan airline is viable.
ReplyDeleteDc3 flights out to the Chathams, that would be interesting, NOW that would be a LONG trip!!!
ReplyDeleteReal Tonga only have one aircraft (Y12) at this stage. China are to supply Tonga with a MA60 aircraft.
ReplyDelete